Cunard Line’s luxury liner Queen Elizabeth made a spectacular entry into Sydney on Saturday morning, with a massive ‘Happy Mardi Gras’ cape billowing from her top decks in a salute to one of the city’s biggest international festivals.
Stretching 126-metres long, the cape formed part of a head-turning outfit for iconic performer and personality Vanity Faire, who was positioned on top of Queen Elizabeth on a giant glittering 2.2 metre-high stiletto.
Ann Sherry, chief executive of Carnival Australia which represents Cunard Line in Australia, said the vessel’s arrival was a great opportunity to contribute to Sydney’s Mardi Gras excitement.
“Everyone around the world knows that at this time of year Sydney is in a perpetual state of celebration, starting with New Year’s Eve fireworks and the Sydney Festival and continuing through to the excitement of Mardi Gras – a celebration of diversity which draws massive crowds to the city and many thousands of international visitors to Australia,” she said.
“Cunard Line prides itself on taking its guests to some of the world’s most desirable destinations and delivering memorable moments during its voyages and today’s arrival is certainly one of those.”
Mardi Gras chief executive Michael Rolik said Festival organisers were thrilled by the Cunard gesture.
“The liner’s spectacular arrival is a wonderful celebration of our Festival and has helped to bring our event back onto Sydney Harbour,” Mr Rolik said.
Check out a video of the Mardi Gras fun below:
